Mulling apparatus



Dec. 1, 1942. I w. F. PIPER MULLING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 25, 1939 72067257" er Rper Dec. 1, 1942. w. F. PIPER MULLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 1, 1942 UNITED STATES MULLING APPARATUS Walter F. Piper, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to The Beardsley & Piper Company, Chicago, 111., a

corporation of Illinois Application February 25, 1939, Serial No. 258,358

(Cl. 83-4 5) v same large acute anglewith respect to'thehofl I 9 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to apparatus for mulling granular material. More particularly the invention relates to that type of mulling apparatus which is primarily designed or adapted for mulling and conditioning molding sand in a foundry and as the main or principal parts thereof comprises a frame structure, an open top sand retaining receptacle which is carried by the frame structure and embodies a substantially flat circular bottom wall and an upwardly extending annular side wall. a rotary cross-head supported mulling element which is arranged within the receptacle to travel in a circular course around the side wall and is adapted during such travel to spin and effect the desired 15 mulling or conditioning of the sand betweenit and the side wall, and power actuated mechanism which is associated with the frame structure and is connected through the medium of the cross-head so that it operates during drive to 20 propel the element in its aforementioned circular course.

One object of the invention is to provide a mulling apparatus of this type which is more efficient and simpler than, and has certain inherent advantages over, previously designed apparatus of the same general character.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mulling apparatus of the type under consideration in which the side Wall of the receptacle is straight sided and extends upwardly and outwardly at a comparatively large acute angle with respect to the horizontal and the mulling element is in the form of a wheel which is of such design and so mounted that during drive thereof 3- by the power actuated mechanism in connection with operation of the apparatus it not only effectively squeezes the sand against the side wall but also has certain slippage as far as the inner face or periphery of the side wall is concerned with the result that the grains of sand are sub jected to a rubbing action and any bonding material is effectively distributed over the grains.

Anothe object of the invention is to provide a sand mulling apparatus of the last mentioned character in which the wheel type mulling element is of comparatively large size and hence does not sink into the sand to such an extent as to cause crushing or pulverization of the latter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mulling apparatus of the typ=: and character under consideration in which the cross-head is mounted beneath the wheel type mulling element and carries an element supporting axle which extends upwardly and outwardly at the type mulling element; v Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional 'view'ofa' mulling apparatus embodying a second formof portion.

PATENT OFFICE- fg zontal as the side wall of the receptacle.

A still'further object of th irmemioniS t vide' a sand mulling apparatus whichis generally of new and improved construction and in which. compactness is combined with simplicity 'of jclesign.

ous advantages and characteristics of th'e'lpres ent mulling apparatus will be apparent from" consideration of the following detailed de sc'r p tion. v 1 5 I The invention consists in theseveral novel.

features-which are-hereinafter set forth" and are" 1 more particularly defined clusion hereof. p 1

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals 01' reference denote corre- SDOIiding parts throughout the several views:- I

Figure 1 is a plan view of a mulling apparatus embodying one form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1 and illustrating in de -c tail theconstruction and design of the receptacle and the arrangement and mounting of the wheel,

by claims at the the invention; and I V c Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the apt paratus of Figure 3. 1 1

- The apparatus which is shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings constitutes one form or emi bodiment of the invention. It is designed pri-:-

marily for use in a foundry or likeestablishe ment in connection with the mulling. orrcondi-g I tioning ofmolding sand andfcomprises a frame" structure, a sand holding or retaining receptacle 5, a mulling 7 element 6, and power actuated: mechanism 1 for driving the apparatus.- T The frame structure is adapted to rest on thefioor of the foundry in which the apparatus-is used and consists of a pair of/laterally spaced 7 horizontally extending I-beams 8.; J a The receptacle 5 is disposed over the I-b'eams 8 and has an open top whereby'a batch of sand to be mulled may be introduced into'it. It is' preferably in the form of a metallic casting and consists, of a circular bottom wall 9 and an annular side wall Ill. The bottom wall 9 is substantially fiat and has an opening, I I inits central The side wall I0 is formed integrally with the outer margin of the bottom wall 9 and I is straight sided, as shown in Figure 2. .Jtex- Other objects of the invention and the van 2 tends upwardly and outwardly at an. angle of. approximately 80 with respect to the horizontal andhas an out-turned reinforcing flange l2 at the top'thereof. When the apparatus is in operation, the mulling element 6, as hereinafter described, serves to effect mulling of the sand in asosjsav effective or efllcient rubbing together of the grains'of sand is effected. By reason of the fact the'receptacle by squeezing it against the inner face of the side wall. In order to permit of ready discharge of the sand from the receptacle afteraniulling operation, the side wall 10 is provided with a doorway l3. This doorway is normallyclosed by a door I4 which is pivoted at one side thereof to an outwardly extending lug IS on the receptacle side wall I so that it may be swung outwardly into an open position. A fluidpressure device [6 in the form of a cylinder l1 andaa; piston l8 operates through the medium of alever l9 and a link 20 to open and close the door l4. The piston is provided with a stern 2| andioperates through the medium of the lever "and the link 2|! to swing the door into its open position when fluid under pressure is introduced into one end of the cylinder and to close the door when fluid under pressure is introduced into the other end of the cylinder and the one cylinde'r end is vented.

. Themulling element 6 is in the form of'a wheel and is carried by a cross-head 22 so that it is adapted to travel in a circular course around the receptable side wall for sand mulling purposes. 24' and has around the; rim a solid rubber tire 25. The hub 23 is elongated and, as shown in It embodies a hub 23 and a rim,

that the side wall of the receptacle extends upwardly and outwardly the sand during squeezing tends to move upwards and the rubbing due to the aforementioned slippage of the upper and lower outer peripheral portions of the tire is thus augmented. The diameter of the mulling element 6 is preferably greater than half the diameter of the side wall of the receptacle with the result that the wheel is of such size that it does not sink or penetrate into the sand on the side wall and crush or pulverize it. I By having the tire 25 formed of rubber as distinguished from metal wear resulting from slippage is reduced a minimum. The cross-head 22 is balanced-was far as the axle 26 and the wheel type mulling element 6 are concerned by way of a counterweight 29. This weight is positioned on the cross-head 22 diametrically opposite the axle 26 and extends upwardly into the space within the tire supporting rim 24 of the element 6. 1

The mechanism I is in the form of a speed reducing unit and is actuated or' driven by means of anelectric motor (not shown). It is mounted for the most part ina housing 30 and comprisesfa shaft 3l, a bevel pinion 32', and a bevel gear 33. The housing 30 underlies and Figure 2, is rotatably mounted on an axle 26.

which is secured to, and extends'upwardlyfrom, the cross-head 22. Said cross-head is disposed beneath the mulling element'li and directly above the central portion of the bottom wall 9 of the receptacle and hasa depending shaft 21. The latter extends downwardly through the hole II in the bottom wallv 9 and is journaled in a roller bearing 26 so thatthe cross-head 23 is free to rotate about a vertical axis. The cross-head is driven, as hereinafter described, by the mechani mr and operates through the medium of the axle 26- to swing the mulling element around the receptacle side wall Ill. The axle extends upwardly and outwardly at the same angle as the sidewall III of the receptacle and the outer face of the tire 25 is cylindrical and concentrically positioned with respect to the axle. As a result of the angularity of the side wall of the receptacleand the manner of mounting of the wheel type mulling element 6, the upper and lower outer peripheral portions of the tire 25 slip with respect to the sand on the inner face of the side walland effect such .rubbing together of the grains of sand that any bonding material therewith is effectively brought into coated relation with the grains. Slipping or slippage of the upper and lower outer peripheral portions of the tirevof the'mulling element is due or attributable to the fact that the upper peripheral portion; although it rotates at the same speed and is the same in diameter as the lower portion, traverses the side wall at a point where it is of much greater diameter than the point at which the lower portion of the tire traverses the side wall. The upper outer peripheral portion of the tire 25' tends during operation of the apparatus differential slippage or skidding an exceptionally supportsthe bottom wall 9 of the receptacle 5 and rests on the I-beams 8 constituting the frame structure.' The shaft 3| of the mechanism 1 extends horizontally and is journaled in asuitable bearing in the side wall of the housing 30. The outer end of the shaft is connected for drive by. the aforementioned electric motor. The bevel pinion 32 is fixed to the inner end of the shaft 3| and meshes with and serves to drive the bevel gear 33. The latter, as shown in Figure 2, is fixedly connected to the central portion of the shaft 21. When the shaft 3| is driven it operates through the medium of the bevel pinion 32 and the bevel gear 33 to drive the shaft 21 and the latter in turn rotates the cross-head 22 and operates through the axle 26 to swing the mulling element 6 in its circular course around the receptacle side wall III.

In order to control the sand in the receptacle so that during each revolution of the cross-head 22 it is scraped from the side wall It) and directed inwards and is then deflected outwards against substantially all portions of the receptacle side wall and into the path of the mulling element 6, an L-shaped scraper 34 and a deflector 35 are provided. The scraper 34 is positioned substantially diametrically opposite the axle 26 and consists of a horizontally extending arm 36 and an upwardly and outwardly extending arm 31-. The arm 36 extends radially with respect to the shaft 21 and is bolted or otherwise fixedly secured to the cross-head 22 so that.

for scraping the sand from the inner face of the receptacle side wall In and has the inner face or surface thereof inclined, as shown in Figure 1, so that it operates to deflect inwards in a scattered stream for aerating purposes the scraped sand. The deflector 35 is located at substantially right angles to the scraper 34 and is positioned in front of the element 6. It is fixed to and radiates from the cross-head 22 and is so shaped and designed that during drive of the cross-head it operates to deflect outwards into the path of themulling element and against substantially all portions of the inner face of the receptacle side wall In the scraped sand on the bottom wall 9 of the receptacle.

.When it is desired to mull sand with the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2, the batch to be mulled is introduced into the receptacle by dumping or discharging it through the open top of the receptacle.

Thereafter the mechanism 1 is set in motion so as to efiect drive of the cross-head 22. During rotation of the cross-head the sand on the receptacle bottom wall 9 is deflected outwards against the receptacle side wall .l0 and into the path of the wheel type mulling element 6. As the sand comes in contact with the tire of the element it is squeezed against the side wall and at the same time is subjected to a rubbing action due to the slippage of the upper and lower outer peripheral portions of th tire 25. After being squeezed against the side wall by the element, the sand is scraped and directed inwards by the scraper 34 and is then deflected again outwards by the deflector for further squeezing by the element 6 against the receptacle side wall. After the sand, in the receptacle move to and from the side wall of the receptacle 5. nection with operation or drive of the mechanism 1 the wheel type mulling element 6 travels in a circular course around the side wall of the receptacle and moves or swings outwardly in response to centrifugal force. Because of outward swing of the mulling-element 6" the sand on the side wall of-the receptacle is subjected to a pronounced or extremely heavy squeezing force. outwards in connection with squeezing of the sand and the side wall of the receptacle extends upwardly and outwardly, the sand is urged up- I 1 wards and the rubbing action due to slippage is thus effectively-augmented. The axle 26 extends upwardly and outwardly at the same angle as the side wall of the receptacle. The arm 38 is so positioned, arranged and designed that when the wheel is in its normal operating position there is parallelism between the side wall and tire portions which are closest together. In order has been mulled to the desired "extent the door I4 is opened by proper manipulation of the fluid pressure device 16; Upon opening of the door the deflector 35 operates during rotation of the Cross-head to fling the mulled sand outwards through the doorway 13.

The apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 is both simple in design and efiicient in operation. It consists of but a small number of parts and is characterized by the fact that the angularity of the side wall and the shape and manner of mounting of the Wheel type element 6 result in the element squeezing and rubbing together the grains of sand. By having the axle 26 substantially vertical, end thrust of the element 6 is reduced to a minimum. It is contemplated that. the sand to be mulled is to be introduced into the receptacle in sufficient quantity so that it builds up against the side wall to a depth suflicient for element squeezing purposes. It is also contemplated that the cross-head 22 be rotated at a comparatively high rate of speed so that the sand is maintained substantially in suspension against 5- the side wall of the receptacle and the time necessary to effect the desired mulling of the sand is of short duration.

The apparatus which is shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings constitutes another or second embodiment of the invention. Itis designed for the same purpose as, and operates similarly to, the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 and comprises a frame structure, an open top receptacle 5, a wheel type mulling element 6*, and a motor actuated driving mechanism I These parts correspond to and are like the frame structure, receptacle and driving mechanism of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2. The mulling element fi is rotatably mounted on an axle 26 over a rotary cross-head 22 and functions like to prevent the tire of the mulling element 6 from contacting th inner face of the side wall of the receptacle 5 and thus eliminate damage to the tire when the sand discharging door-is in its open position, a pin and slot connection is provided. This connection comprises a depending pin on the central portion of the arm 38 and an arcuate slot M for the pin. The slot, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 3, is formed in the cross-head 22' and has the sam center as the pivot stud 39 for the arm 38. The arrangement of the slot issuch that one end thereof is engaged by the pin when the wheel type mulling element 6 approaches contact with the inner face of the side wall of the receptacle and thus 7 stops further outward movement of th element.

The apparatus of Figures '3 and 4 is operated in the same manner as the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2, and like the latter apparatus is characterized by the fact that it is extremely simple in design and eflicient in operation.

Whereas the apparatuses of 'Figures 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 have been described as being primarily adapted for use in a foundry in connection with the mulling or conditioning of molding sand, it is to be understood that they may be used in other capacities in connection with the mulling, mixing or conditioning of other granular material. It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention. what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: c

' 1. An apparatus adapted to mull granular material and comprising a frame structure, a receptacle for the material to be mulled carried by the frame structure and embodyinga bottom wall the element 6 of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 except that its axle 26 instead of being fixedly secured to the subjacent cross-head is connected to one end of a horizontally extending elongated arm 38. This arm, as shown in Figures 3 and 4,

overlies the cross-head 2 25 and-bias its outer end pivotally connected to the latter by a depending stud or pivot pin 39 so that it, together with the mulling element 6 and the axle 26 is free to and an annular straight sided side wall extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom wall at a comparatively larg acute angle with respect to the horizontal, a cross-head in the central portion of the receptacle mounted to rotate about a vertical axis, a single upstanding axle associated and bodily rotatable with the cross-head positioned at one side of the'latters axis and so that its axis extends at all times upwardly and outwardly at the same angle as the receptacle side wall, 'a single wheel type mulling element witha comparatively wid cylindrical periphery and its When the cross-head 22 is rotated in con- Due to the fact that the wheel swings diameter in excess of half the mean diameter of the receptacle side wall, mounted rotatably'on the axle and in substantially overlying relation with the cross-head and adapted during drive of the cross-head to swing in a circular course around the side wall and-effect mulling of thematerial by squeezing it against said side wall, a deflector carried by the cross-head in front of the mulling tion a frame structure, a receptacle for the ma-.

terial to be mulled carried by th frame structure and embodying a circular bottom wall and an upstanding annular side wall, a cross-head over and in close proximity to the central portion of the bottom wall mou nted to rotate about a vertical axis and having at one side of said axis a counterweight and at the opposite side of its axis of rotation an upstanding axle, a wheel type mulling element with a diameter in excess of half the diameter of the side wall mounted rotatably on the axle, provided on the under side thereof with a ring shaped space for accommodating and housing the counterweight, and adapted during rotation of the cross-head to travel in, a circular course around the side wall and effect mulling of the material by squeezing it against the side wall, and power actuated means supported by the frame structure for rotating the cross-head.

3. A mulling apparatus comprising in combination a frame structure, a receptacle for the material to be mulled carried by the frame structure and embodying a bottom wall and an annular substantially straight sided side wall extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom wall at a comparatively large acut angle with respect to th horizontal, a cross-head over and in close proximity to the central portion of the bottom wall mounted to rotate about a vertical axis and having at one side of said axis a counterweight andat the opposite side of such axis an axle arranged so that it extends upwardly and outwardly at all times at substantially the same angle as the receptacle side wall, a wheel type mulling element with a comparatively wide, substantially cylindrical periphery and its diameter in excess -of half the mean diameter of the receptacle side wall, mounted rotatably on the axle. provided with a ring shaped space on the under side thereof for accommodating and housing the counterweight, and adapted during rotation of the cross-head to travel in a circular course around the side wall and effect mulling of the material by squeezing it'against said side wall, and power actuated means carried by the structure for rotating the crossl-head.

4. An apparatus adapted for use in mulling molding sand and like granular material and comprising a receptacle adapted to contain the material to be mulled and embodying a bottom wall and a continuous annular side wall extending upwardly from the margin of the bottom wall, a rotary cross-head disposed within and centrally with respect to the side wall and located directly above said bottom wall, an arm pivotally connected at one end thereof to the cross-head so that it is free to swing to and from the side Wall in parallel relation with the plane of rotation of the cros-head and having at its other end an upstanding axle, a wheel type mulling element rotatably mounted on the axle and adapted during rotation of the cross-head to travel in a circular course around the side wall and move outwards by centrifugal force and to mull the material by squeezing it against the sidewall, means for rotating the cross-head, and means for limiting outward swing of the arm toward the side wall and preventing the element from contacting said side wall comprising a pin and slot connection between said arm and cross-head.

5. An apparatus adapted to mull molding sand and comprising a receptacle adapted to contain the material to be mulled and embodying a bottom wall and a continuous annular side wall, a rotary cross-head disposed within and located centrally with respect to th side wall and positioned directly above th bottom wall, an-arm pivotally connected at one end thereof to the cross-head so that it is free to swing to and from the side wall in parallel relation with the plane of rotation of the cross-head and having at its other end an upstanding axle, a wheel type mulling element rotatably mounted on th axle and adapted during rotation of the cross-head to travel in a circular course around the side wall and move outwards by centrifugal force and to mull the material by squeezing it against the side wall, means for rotating the cross-head, and means between the arm and cross-head for limiting outward swinging movement of the arm and preventing the mulling element from contacting the side wall of the receptacle during drive or rotation of the said cross-head.

6. A mulling apparatus comprising a receptacle adapted to contain the material to be mulled and embodying a substantially circular bottom wall and an annular side wall extending upwardly from the margin of the bottom wall, a rotary cross-head disposed within and located centrally with respect to the side wall, an arm pivotally connected at one end thereof to the cross-head so that it is free to swing to and from the side wall and having its other end extending inwardly toward the center of the receptacle and provided with an upstanding axle, a wheel type mulling element having a diameter in excess of half the diameter of the side wall, mounted rotatably on the axle and in substantially complete overlying relation with the cross-head and adapted during rotation of the cross-head to travel in a circular course around the side wall and move outwards by centrifugal force and to mull the material by squeezing it against the side wall, a deflector carried by the cross-head in front of the mulling element and shaped and arranged so that during rotation of the cross-head it operates to deflect the material from the central portion of the receptacle against the side wall and into the path of the element, and means for rotating the crosshead.

7. A mulling apparatus comprising in combination a frame structure, a receptacle for the material to be mulled carried by the frame structure and embodying a bottom wall and an annular straight sided side wall extend ng upwardly and outwardly from the bottom wall at a comparatively large acute angle with respect to the horizontal, a cross-head in the central portion of the receptacle mounted to rotate about a vertical axis, a single arm pivotally connected at one end thereof to the cross-head so that it is free to swing to and from the side wall in parallel relaof said cross-head to travel in a circular cdurse tially the same angle as the receptacle side wall, a single wheel type mulling element with a substantially cylindrical periphery, mounted rotat- I ably on the axle and adapted during rotation-of th cross-head to travel in a circular course around the side wall and move outwards by centrifugal force and to mull the material by squ'eezing it against the side wall, a deflector carried by said cross-head in front of the mulling element and shaped and arranged so that during rotation of the cross-head it operates to deflect the material from the central portion of the receptacle outwards against substantially all portions of the element traversed part of said side wall and into the path of said element, and means carried by the fram structure for rotating the cross-head.

8. A mulling apparatus comprising a frame structure, a receptacle for th material to be mulled carried by the frame structure and embodying a circular bottom wall and an annular side Wall extending upwardly from the margin of the bottom wall, a cross-head over and in close proximity to the central portion of thebottom wall and mounted to rotate upon a vertical axis,

an arm pivotally connected at one end thereof to the cross-head so that it is fre to swing to and from the sidewall substantially parallelly to the plane of rotation of the cross-head and having its other end extending inwardly toward the center of the receptacle and provided with an upstanding axle, a wheel type mulling element having a diameter in excess of half the diameter of the receptacle, mounted rotatably 0n the axle and in substantially complete overlying relation with the cross-head and adapted during rotation with the cross-head and adapted during rotation around the side wall and move outwards by centrifugal force and to mull the material by squeezing it against the side wall, means carried by the cross-head for directing th material outwardly against said side wall and into the pathofthe mulling element, and means carried by the frame structure for rotating said cross-head. I

9. An apparatus adapted for use in mulling granular material and comprising a frame structure. a receptacle for the material to be mulled carried by the frame structure and embodying a circular bottom Wall and an annular sid wall extending upwardly from the margin of the bottom wall, a cross-head in th central portion of the receptacle mounted to rotate about a vertical axis, an upstanding axle associated and bodily rotatable with the cross-head and disposed at one side of said axis, a wheel type mulling element the receptacle side wall mounted rotatably onaxl in substantially complete overlying relat with a diameter in excess of half the diameter of of the cross-head to swing in a circular course around the side .wall and effect mulling of the material by squeezing it against said side wall, a deflector carried by. the cross-head so that it extends from the central portion of the latter outwardly directly over the bottom wall to the lower Y portion of the receptacle side Wall, and arranged and shaped to deflect the material from thecen-r tral portion of the receptacle againstaaaid side wall and into the path of the elementrandpower actuated means for driving'the cross-head,

WALTER PIPER. 

